Wildlife in the Garden Show Notes

In this episode we chat with Ed Turpin, Community Wildlife Officer East (Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire) from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

As concerns over preserving our wildlife become more important, we talk to Ed about his role as a wildlife officer. We chat about the impact of global warming on our precious wildlife habitats and we also touch on the big peat debate and how we need to change our compost buying habits now peat-free alternative composts are becoming available. We also discuss the importance of introducing water into the garden as a magnet to draw in more wildlife, plus a look at how we can help preserve our dwindling hedgehog population. Garden birds, spiders, squirrels, foxes and rabbits come under the wildlife spotlight together with how growing wildflowers can impact on our own gardens in a positive way.

 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust is Buckingham Garden Centre’s charity of the year and you can chat with a BBOWT representative at our forthcoming Apple and Honey Show Weekend (24th and 26th September, 10am-4pm).

Plants Mentioned Birch, Hazel, Field Maple, Dog rose, Wild Privet, Hawthorn, Holly, Brambles, Heathers and Gorse

Animal species mentioned Red Kites, Butterflies - Common Blue, Cabbage White and Painted Lady, Grass Snakes.

Butterfly and moth friendly plants include Lavender, Sage, Thymes, Primulas, Forget-me-nots, Bugle (Ajuga), Hedera and Stinging Nettles (for caterpillars).

Plants rabbits tend to avoid include: Peonies, Hellebores, Foxgloves, Narcissi, Snowdrops, Lavender and Rosemary

Products mentioned: Bird feeders, Squirrel proof feeders and bird food – Niger seed, Bird boxes, Graziers animal deterrent (in store only). Sunflowers, Teasel and Wildflower seeds.

BBOWT Actions page - has lots of great activities and tips for making your garden wildlife friendly.

BBOWT How to create a mini-pond - Some great tips on creating a small pond in your garden.

The Freshwater Habitats Trust - There are some great tips and some quite comprehensive articles on their website which are great for wildlife ponds.

Hedgehog Street is a national campaign that is run by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES for short) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). There is some great information on the website and you can sign up to be a Hedgehog Champion. You can also register hedgehog sightings in your local area which all works towards helping understand how hedgehog populations are looking nationally.

Wildlife Gardens worth a visit

Notable gardens include Cambridge Botanic Garden, Chartwell House and Garden (Sevenoaks, Kent), Great Dixter (Rye, Sussex), Hidcote Manor (Gloucestershire), Longstock Water Gardens (Hampshire), Lost Gardens of Heligan (Cornwall), Thenford Garden and Arboretum (Banbury, Oxfordshire), and Waddesdon Manor (Buckinghamshire).

RHS Wildlife in Gardens advice

Wildlife watch for children

UK top ten birds, latest RSPB Big Bird Watch results

Music by Chiltern Music Therapy

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